NFL Player News

Allen failed to draw a target during Monday's 27-24 loss to the Falcons.

Monday's contest felt like a shift in the dynamic of the tight end grouping for the Rams, with Colby Parkinson leading the group with seven targets and six catches for 53 yards, while Terrance Ferguson broke through with two big catches, including a 27-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter. Allen's 27 snaps on offense were the lowest he's recorded since Week 13 against Carolina, and Parkinson's 51 snaps marked the first truly significant separation in snap share for the trio of tight ends since Tyler Higbee (ankle) went on injured reserve. Given Parkinson's emergence and Ferguson's big-play ability starting to emerge in the past two weeks, Allen's arrow seems to be trending down heading into the regular-season finale against the Cardinals in Week 18.

Wharton (hamstring) was seen participating in Tuesday's walk-through practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Wharton has missed three consecutive games for the Panthers due to his hamstring injury. The participation in Tuesday's walk-through practice is a positive sign for the defensive end's chances of suiting up for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, which could decide the division. If Wharton can practice enough to draw an active status, Bobby Brown, Cam Jackson and LaBryan Ray are likely all set to see a diminished defensive snap count in Saturday's contest.

Mumpfield secured two of five targets for 10 yards during Monday's 27-24 loss to the Falcons.

For the second straight week, Mumpfield brought in less than half of his targets from Matthew Stafford, including an overthrown pass in the second quarter that Jessie Bates intercepted and returned 34 yards for a touchdown. Mumpfield has gotten an extended look in the last six weeks, with at least 20 snaps played on offense during each contest, but an 8-80-0 receiving line on 17 targets over that span doesn't inspire much confidence for fantasy purposes. Week 18 against the Cardinals still has meaning for the Rams in terms of playoff seeding, but even with Davante Adams (hamstring) still recovering from injury, Mumpfield's production seems unlikely to deviate much from his recent trends.

The Cowboys waived Diggs on Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

After racking up 14 interceptions between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million contract extension with Dallas in the summer of 2023 but has struggled to meet expectations ever since. In addition to sitting out most of the 2023 season after sustaining an ACL tear, Diggs has missed time in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns due to a groin and knee injuries as well as a concussion. He had played in just eight of Dallas' first 16 games this season, logging 25 tackles and recording no interceptions. Any team putting in a claim for Diggs would have to assume the remaining money on his contract, though he could be cut with few ramifications this offseason since his deal is non-guaranteed after 2025.

Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports that coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about Watt (lung) being available for the Week 18 showdown with the Ravens.

Watt has missed three consecutive weeks with a partially collapsed lung, and having the premier pass rusher available for Sunday's matchup could be huge for the Steelers' defense. The game will determine the AFC's No. 4 seed and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention. Therefore, if the outside linebacker is unable to return for the game, his season could be over. Watt logged limited practices throughout Week 17, so a full practice at any point this week would be a positive sign pointing towards the 31-year-old's ability to suit up for Week 18.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Washington underwent surgery Tuesday to address a broken forearm and won't be available for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Tomlin was reluctant to say whether Washington's surgery would keep him sidelined for a potential playoff run, but Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette relays that the Steelers aren't expecting the tight end back for the postseason even if Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North title with a victory over the Ravens. The Steelers appear set to head into Week 18 with Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward as their available options at tight end. Washington concludes his third NFL season with 31 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets over 16 appearances.

The Panthers signed Dwelley to the practice squad Tuesday.

Dwelley appeared in 11 games with the Lions this season before being cut earlier this month. Across those 11 appearances, Dwelley caught two of five targets for seven yards. He gives Carolina depth at tight end after Ja'Tavion Sanders suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Sunday's loss to the Seahawks.

Diggs' attorneys appeared in court on his behalf Tuesday in Dedham, Mass. after the receiver was charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an alleged incident that occurred Dec. 2, Frank O'Laughlin of Boston 25 News reports.

Diggs was never arrested in connection with the incident, which took place one day after the Patriots' 33-15 win over the Giants in Week 13. His attorneys are seeking to have the police report impounded, arguing that details about the case should remain sealed. Diggs is scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 23, but the Patriots haven't yet provided comment on the matter nor indicated whether the wideout's availability for Week 18 against the Dolphins or the team's ensuing postseason run is in any jeopardy.

The Colts aren't expected to activate Richardson (eye) from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's season finale versus the Texans, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

Richardson was cleared to resume practicing Dec. 18, but he has yet to regain full vision in his right eye after fracturing an orbital bone Oct. 12. The third-year quarterback should continue to practice in limited fashion, but the Colts plan to have Riley Leonard make his first NFL start in Week 18, while Philip Rivers will serve as the No. 2 signal-caller. Richardson will close the season having made just two brief appearances at the tail end of blowout wins in Weeks 3 and 5, and Indianapolis will most likely decline the pricey fifth-year option on his rookie contract this offseason. The 23-year-old could still be a candidate to open 2026 as the team's starter with Daniel Jones (Achilles) headed for free agency and at risk of missing time to begin the campaign even if Indianapolis re-signs him.

Rivers is set to move to the bench for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Texans with the Colts planning to have rookie Riley Leonard start at quarterback, Stephen Holder and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report.

After being officially eliminated from playoff contention over the weekend, the Colts will give reps to younger players like Leonard in Week 18. The 44-year-old Rivers ends a brief run as the Colts' starter after he was lured out of retirement following Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Though the team went 0-3 with Rivers under center, he performed competently in his first NFL action since the 2020 season, completing 58 of 92 attempts for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Rivers is expected to head back into retirement following the season finale.